{"id":1323,"date":"2020-06-17T22:25:17","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T16:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paperdigit.com\/?p=1323"},"modified":"2020-06-17T22:25:17","modified_gmt":"2020-06-17T16:55:17","slug":"dexamethasone-corona-virus-drug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paperdigit.com\/?p=1323","title":{"rendered":"Dexamethasone- Corona virus Drug ?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

World Health Organisation\u2019s RECOVERY trial<\/strong> have reported that dexamethasone reduced Covid-19 deaths in severe patients<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dexamethasone is a type of corticosteroid medication. It is used in the treatment of many conditions, including rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, and along with antibiotics in tuberculosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dexamethasone is a cheap and widely available steroid drug<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dexamethasone<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Highlights of the Research<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  • The drug was given either orally or through an IV<\/strong> (intravenous).<\/li>
  • After 28 days, it had reduced deaths by 35%<\/strong> in patients who needed treatment with breathing machines<\/strong> and by 20%<\/strong> in those only needing supplemental oxygen<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • The drug is not helpful for less ill patients<\/strong> and for those who do not need respiratory support<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • According to the estimates, this drug can prevent one death for every eight patients<\/strong> treated while on breathing machines and one for every 25 patients on extra oxygen alone<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Drug Mechanism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    • Multi-system Inflammatory State<\/strong> is a Covid-19 related illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels<\/strong> leading to low blood pressure<\/strong>, affecting the entire body as it causes a build-up of fluid in the lungs and other organs.<\/li>
    • The inflammation can be fatal<\/strong> so steroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce it.<\/li>
    • Dexamethasone is not an anti-viral but works to modulate the immune response<\/strong> of the body when confronted by a viral infection such as Covid-19.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Benefits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      • The survival benefit is clear and large<\/strong> in severe patients.<\/li>
      • It is highly affordable, easy to make, can be scaled up quickly<\/strong> and only needs a small dosage<\/strong>.<\/li>
      • It is a cheaper<\/strong> option than tocilizumab<\/strong>, an injectable, which is also being tested.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        • The WHO advises<\/strong> that steroids should not be used early in a course of illness<\/strong> because they can slow the time until patients clear the virus<\/strong>.<\/li>
        • Excessive use<\/strong> of steroids can lead to adverse reactions<\/strong> like major mood swings, aggression and irritability, delusions, kidney\/liver damage, increased blood pressure, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          India\u2019s Reaction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          • Indian doctors have welcomed<\/strong> the research as good news for Covid-19 patients on ventilators.<\/li>
          • The drug is affordable and easily available in India<\/strong>.<\/li>
          • Earlier, the Indian Council for Medical Research<\/strong> (ICMR) revised the protocol for clinical management of Covid-19 and allowed the use of remdesivir, tocilizumab and Convalescent Plasma Therapy<\/strong> (CPT) on certain groups of patients.<\/li>
          • Remdesivir reduced hospital stays<\/strong> for very sick Covid-19 patients but has not been shown to improve recovery<\/strong> itself.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Other Findings from the Research<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Earlier, the same study showed that the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine<\/strong> was not working against the coronavirus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The study enrolled more than 11,000 patients in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who were given either standard of care or that plus one of the treatments mentioned below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            • Dexamethasone.<\/li>
            • HIV combo drug lopinavir-ritonavir.<\/li>
            • Antibiotic azithromycin.<\/li>
            • Anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab.<\/li>
            • Plasma from people who have recovered from Covid-19 that contains antibodies to fight the virus.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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